New figures published by the National Records of Scotland today show that the number of people dying from coronavirus in Ayrshire has come down to the lowest level since October.

In total, 19 people died where coronavirus was recorded on the death certificate for the week February 22-28.

There were 19 deaths recorded across Ayrshire in the last week of 2020 as well, but the NRS said that the figures for that week were artificially low because public holidays meant that not all deaths were registered during that period.

From October 26 to November 2, 2020 there were 18 deaths recorded in Ayrshire relating to coronavirus.

The most recent statistics show that in South Ayrshire four people lost their life, which is down from 11 the previous week.

In East Ayrshire four people also died as a result of the virus, the same number as the week before.

North Ayrshire was the hardest hit of the three local authority areas, with 11 deaths recorded, which is down slightly on 13 the week before.

Ayr Advertiser:

Across Scotland 227 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of 64 deaths from the previous week.

The majority of deaths occurred in hospitals, representing 187 deaths, with 26 deaths in care homes and 14 at home or in non-institutional settings.

Around two thirds of deaths were people aged 75 and over, representing 148 deaths and there were 32 deaths among those aged under 65.

There were 69 more deaths registered in the latest week compared with the average for the period 2015 to 2019, representing an excess of six per cent.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: “Today’s figures continue to show a welcome reduction in the number of COVID-19 related deaths, but I am keenly aware that for families across Scotland each and every death represents a tragic loss.

“This is the fifth consecutive week that we have seen a fall in the number of deaths involving COVID-19, and this week there is also a fall in the number of excess deaths.”